Russia reveals Marker 2 combat robots

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Following the announcement by the US and Germany to send Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, Dmitry Rogozin, former director general of the Russian federal space agency Roscosmos disclosed to Sputnik that the Russian-made Marker robot will start rolling out with its capability of striking the tanks. 

The robot's control system enjoys an electronic catalog that displays images of targets in both visible and infrared ranges, which facilitates automatic detection. 

"For example, as soon as deliveries of the Abrams and Leopard tanks to the Ukrainian troops begin, the Marker will be fitted with an appropriate electronic image to detect and destroy the US and German tanks with anti-tank guided missiles,” Rogozin said.

Footage of the UTV anti-tank anti-drone robot "Marker", which will be sent to the SMO zone. pic.twitter.com/Rtt8duhrVZ

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The former chief noted that four Marker robots will be delivered in February to Donbass.

This comes after new German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius revealed the decision to ship 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, which was followed by a statement by US President Joe Biden that he has approved the transfer of 31 Abrams tanks to Kiev.

Pistorius confirmed that the tanks would be sent within three to four months, while Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said on Tuesday that the delivery will become another "blatant provocation" against Russia and warned that the Russian military would destroy the equipment. 

The Russian Embassy in Germany called the decision by Pistorius "an extremely dangerous decision [by Berlin] shifts the Ukrainian conflict to a new level of standoff.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the continuous arms supplies by the West are only proof that they are increasingly getting involved in the war.

"There are constant statements from European capitals and from Washington that the sending of various weapons systems, including tanks, to Ukraine in no way means the involvement of these countries or the alliance in the hostilities that are taking place in Ukraine. We categorically disagree with this," Peskov stated.

Other countries, such as Spain announced on Wednesday that it was ready to send some of its German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine after Berlin granted approval for their European transfers. "Spain is ready... to deal with our allies in any way necessary, whether that means sending Leopards, training in the use of Leopards, or help in their maintenance and upkeep," Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said.

On the other hand, Spain's left-wing Podemos party, which is a partner in Spain's left-wing coalition, voiced opposition to sending arms to Ukraine.

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